Study on neck injuries in military pilots / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the present situation of neck injuries in military pilots, analyze possible factors that induce neck injuries and how such injuries could influence flight training, and provide suggestions for relevant physiological researches and engineering solutions. Method Questionnaires were carried out among 1 924 military pilots, including pilots of primary trainer, attacker, fighter, bomber, transporter and helicopter. The questionnaire consist of 2 parts (1) pilots’ basic information, such as unit, age, type of aircraft, flying hours, height, weight, etc. (2) relevant issues on neck injuries, including symptoms and their influences on flight, reasons that cause the injuries, etc. Statistical analyses were conducted according to the questionnaire results. Results The investigation showed that 71.3% of the pilots had uncomfortable neck symptoms and 60.4% of them had befallen such symptoms during flight. 33.7% of the pilots had suffered neck pain and 19.2% of them reported that such pains took place during flight. Factors such as acceleration, weight of helmet and long duration of flight would be the main reasons resulting in the discomfort of neck. Bomber pilots showed the highest proportion either on the neck discomfort or on the neck pain. Conclusions Neck injuries have become the frequently occurring illness in Chinese military pilots and have affected their daily flight. The study also foresees an increased tendency on pilots’ neck injuries due to the growing requirements of flight load and training strength on fighter and attacker pilots. Therefore, great importance should be attached on neck injuries of military pilots and further studies should be conducted on physiological investigations and engineering solutions.